When traveling, getting to your destination is only half the battle. It’s rare to fly somewhere and then stay put at a single location. You’re going to need some way to get around. Depending on how long you’re staying, you may opt to rent a car. In the short term, renting is significantly cheaper than using rideshares, more flexible than public transportation, and much more practical than trying to walk everywhere. The longer you rent, the more beneficial renting a vehicle becomes. Here’s how to get the most from a 3 month car rental!
Requirements For Renting
Most states have the same legal requirements to rent a car. First and foremost, you’ll need to posses a valid driver’s license. Beyond that, many of the following rules can change depending on the policies of the company you’re renting from. Most companies will only rent to clients over the age of 25. However, some rental agencies are more than happy to rent to drivers as young as 18. Most corporate rental chains will also require you to rent with a credit card, so they can charge a deposit. If you don’t have a credit card, don’t worry. There are still independent rental agencies that accept cash deposits and debit card rentals.
Longer Rentals Have Better Rates
If you’ve gone to a car rental website and fooled around with the dates, you’ll probably notice that your daily rate goes down the longer you rent. This isn’t a mistake. Car rental companies prefer long term rentals to short term for various reasons that deserve their own article. In short: the less work they have to do to keep a vehicle in circulation, the more money they can make. Every time a vehicle is returned by a client it has to be inspected, cleaned, and then rented to a new person. Longer rental terms are in the rental agency’s best interest.
Worry Free 3 Month Car Rental
Anyone who owns their own car knows that a lot more goes into it than just paying for the vehicle and filling up the tank. You have to worry about maintenance, insurance, registration, and more. One of the benefits of a long term car rental, is that the rental agency takes care of everything. If you get a flat tire, or run into mechanical issues, the rental company will take care of it without digging into your pocket to do so. While rental agencies offer additional car insurance packages when renting, your credit card provider may offer insurance on rentals.
More Flexibility Than Leasing
One of the only other ways to get a car for one to three months is by leasing. However, conventional leases are much more strict than renting a vehicle for the same period of time. It can also be very hard to find a lease for that short a time. Leases also require a credit check, which will be used to determine whether or not they can lease to you at all. Renting a car will never require a credit check, and some rental agencies don’t even require a credit card to get started.
Rent Economy For Better Rates
While your rental rate goes down the longer you rent, the base rate on certain vehicle types can only go so low. In order to get the best possible rate, avoid renting SUVs or luxury vehicles. An older, economy model will give you a much better rate. Since you don’t plan on owning the car long term, the lack of premium features shouldn’t be an issue. In the end, you can lower your total rental cost by up to 30% just by choosing a less desirable model.
When To Avoid Renting
While a long term car rental is a great option for many, there are some instances where it isn’t a viable option. You won’t be able to rent if you’re trying to rent a vehicle in order to participate in rideshare driving. A rental car has a mileage limit, and most companies stipulate that you can’t use their rental vehicle for those purposes. Make sure to tell your rental agent what you plan on using the vehicle for. That way you can avoid untended violations and additional fees.
Looking For A 3 Month Car Rental in Los Angeles?
Value Rental Car wants to help you get a rental car and get to your destination quickly and safely. We offer clean and affordable rental cars for local driving in Los Angeles and Pasadena. If you’re a college student, we want to help you get on the road. We rent to drivers under the age of 21, and we offer cash and debit card car rentals. Check out some of our other articles to learn more about how car rental works!